Make a schematic drawing of a falling object indicating gravity, air resistance, and speed.

Predict how and explain why changing the air resistance of an object affects how fast it falls.

Explain how parachutes can create safer landings.

Overview

Forces, which we might instinctively describe as pushes and pulls, are acting on us at all times, but we cannot always see them. This hands-on lesson offers a fun opportunity to explore "invisible" forces like gravity and air resistance. Students will build parachutes and investigate how they allow skydivers to safely land.

NGSS Alignment

3-PS2-1.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

This lesson focuses on these aspects of NGSS Three Dimensional Learning:

Science & Engineering Practices

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts

Planning and Carrying out Investigations.
Make observations and/or measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon or test a
design solution.

Analyzing and Interpreting Data.
Compare and contrast data collected by different groups in order to discuss similarities and differences in their findings.

PS2.A: Forces and Motion.
Each force acts on one particular object and has both strength and a direction. An object at rest typically has multiple forces acting on it, but they add to give zero net force on the object. Forces that do not sum to zero can cause changes in the object's speed or direction of motion.

Cause and Effect.
Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change.

You can find this page online at: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/parachutes-forces

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